Clothes supporting rack



Oct'. 17V, 1950 J. B. scr-mum 2,526,285

' CLOTHES syPPoR'rIN'G' RACK Filed prix 2, 1949 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 17, 1950 (UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES SUPPORTING RACK j f John B. Schuyler,Marquette-Mich. Application' April 2, 1949, serial No. s'sgoss This invention relates Yvehicles such as `passenger automobiles." More specifically, this invention relates to a clothes supporting rack which isvadapted to cooperate with one or more of the adjustable windows of such a vehicle.

Numerous devices have been designed for carrying clothing in a passenger' automobile without removing thevv clothing from the hangers upon which it is normally disposed when stored in a closet or the like.. One disadvantageof most of these devices is that they permit hanging of the clothes only in a manner which doesnot allow them to fall. free of the seatsv of the vehicle. For

4 Claims. `(O1. zar-42.1)

to aportable clothes supporting rack particularly adapted for use inl example, the usual provision, if` any, in passenger* automobiles forthe hanging of clothes or the like is a small hook of very limited capacity located adjacent the `rear upper corner of each rear door of the vehicle. This disposition of sucha hook normally places it directly abovev the front edgeA of the rear seat and, since the hook or other l device is also normally mounted onvthe side wall of the vehicle, it is impossible to dispose hangers having clothing' thereon in any way other than.

that which causes the hangers to be disposedin a plane substantially parallel to the side wall oi the Vehicle.

This in turn causes any clothing whichwis. of T any considerable length to come into contact with the rear seat in such a way so ask to be materially disarranged thereby.

In addition, itis normally impossible to place the hangers which support the items of clothing, at the most advantageous leve1,.and therefore a considerable amount of. hanging space is lost.

The Imostdesirable.arrangement from this point of view would be to have the 'hangerssupported adjacent to the' ceiling of the vehicle so as Ato take.

pendicular to the line oimovementV of. the vehicle,.

so that they may hang free ofi the rear seat. An additional object is to providev a clothes supporting rack of the character described whichperhicle and an alternative embodiment of this invention shown in supported association withthe mitsthe utilization of the maximum hanging adjustable in a vertical direction.

Still another object of thisinvention is to provide a device of the character described which is adaptedv to be disposed in supported association with the upper edge. of one or more of the movable side windows of the vehicle so that no modification is necessary for installation and yet which does not' prevent the full closing of the window or windows involved. It is also an object of this invention to provide a clothes supporting rack which is adjustable to any vehicle having movable side windows and which can be readily in'- stalled by merely lowering and raising one or more of the windows of the vehicle. It yis a fur ther object to provide a rack of the character described' which,.when disposed in operative position, is rrnly anchored both by the upper edge of the-window or windows and also by the channel adapted to normally receive that upper edge, A final object is to provide'a device of the characterdescribed which may readily be constructed so that itis adapted? for use withonly a relal tively few articles of clothing or may be convenientlyexpanded into a Arack capable of carrying a relativelylarge'amount of clothing safely and` conveniently, and yet which has av relatively sim ple and inexpensive construction and only acom= parat'ively'ffew separate components.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will becomeevident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment of the inventionrandin which similar numeralsrefer to similar parts throughout the sevf' eral views.v f

In the drawingf Figure l is a fragmentary view in vertical crosssection of the rear portion' of a passenger vehicle and one embodiment of this inventicnshown in supported association' with the upper edge of one ofthe side windows 'of saidy vehicle;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary viewin vertical crosssection of the rear portion of a passenger veupper edges-oftwo of the side windows of said vehicle; and4 Figure 3 is anenlarged perspective view of they device-shown in Figure l which embodies this invention..

Referring now to Figure 1, the rear portion.vv of ya passenger vehicle, indicated generally by the numeral 6, isy shown in vertical cross-section, a fragmentaryportion. of the two rear side windows 8s and IU being shown. which are in turn mounted inthe two. door; frames l2 and I4 reV spectivey. The device which embodies this invention is shown disposed in supported association with the upper edge of window 8 and comprises the supporting bracket I6, which has secured thereto the substantially U-shaped adjustable clamping device I8 which is adapted to support the clothes supporting anm 26, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Referring now to Figure 3, the arm 20 is ad-apted to be received by the holes 22 and 24 in the two arms 26 and 28 of the clamping device I8 respectively. The base 3U of the U-shaped clamping device I8 is secured to the outer face 32 of the longer arm 34 of the substantially L-shaped supporting bracket I6 by any suitable means, such as spot welding. The shorter arm 36 of the supporting bracket I6 is substantially parallel to the arm 34 and forms therewith a narrow channel adapted to receive the upper edge of the window 8, as shown in Figure l.

The bracket I6 is formed of any suitable stock which is thin enough as not to interfere with the proper closing of window 8 when it is moved to its uppermost position, as shown in Figure l. As shown in Figure l, the channel 3l in the upper portion of the door frame has a resilient liner 39 in which the upper edge of the window 8 is normally received when the Window is closed. When the supporting bracket I6 is engaged with the upper edge of the window 8 in the manner shown in Figure 1, it also is received by the channel 31 when the window is disposed in the uppermost position. This disposition of the bracket I6 causes it to be very firmly seated on the window and also allows the channel 31 to bear a great portion of the strain that would normally be carried by the window glass 8. Since the window will normally be closed during operation of the vehicle when the hanging device is in place, the strain borne by the window will be relatively small at the times when abnormal forces are most likely to be created.

Applicant has utilized a hanger of the character illustrated in Figure 1 during many thousands of miles of travel, carrying approximately 14 pounds of clothing, and has had no difficulty whatsoever with its operation. Stainless steel has been found to be a very suitable material from which to form both the supporting bracket I6 and the clamping device I3. The two arms 26 and 28 of the clamping device I8 should have a resiliency which allows the two arms to be compressed toward each other, but of a character such that the supporting rod 20 is normally held under considerable pressure, since holes 22 and 24 are so disposed in the arms 26 and 28 that they are axially aligned only when said arms are so compressed. It is from this characteristic of the holes 22 and 24, together With the resiliency of the arms 26 and 28 that the holding action of the clamping device I8 is attained. When it is desired to adjust the position of the supporting rod 20, it is only necessary to compress with the fingers the two arms 26 and 28 which will then allow the supporting rod 20 to be shifted longitudinally in the holes 22 and 24, and when a suitable position is reached, the pressure on the arms 26 and 28 may then be released. The supporting rod 26 will then be held securely in the selected position.

As shown in Figure 1, configuration of the supporting rod 20 may be altered at several points to form areas in the rod particularly adapted to receive and hold clothes hangers, such as the areas 38 and 40. The hangers 42 and 44 are 4 shown disposed in cooperative association with the two rod areas 38 and 40 in Fig-ure l. Such an arrangement prevents the hangers from moving longitudinally on the rod 2|] under normal conditions.

Also, as shown in Figure 1, the hook portion of the hangers 42 and 44 can be readily twisted out of its normal position so that it lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the piane of the main body of the hanger. 'This in turn permits the main body of the hangers t0 be normally disposed in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the line of movement of the vehicle. It therefore can be seen that any clothing hung on the supporting rod 26 on hangers 42 and 44, having the hook portions thereof s0 disposed, will tend to maintain a position which is also substantially perpendicular to the line of movement of the vehicle. This characteristic of the device embodying the invention is particularly signincant, since it permits the disposition of the clothing in such a manner as to hang free of the rear seat of the vehicle, which is a great advantage in avoiding undesirable mussing or wrinkling of theclothing while hanging in the car.

When it is desired to use the rack shown in Figures l and 3, the door having supporting window selected may be opened and the window lowered suciently to allow the supporting bracket I6 to be slipped over the upper edge of the window. The height of the Window and the position of the rod 2U with respect to the bracket I6 may then be adjusted, the position of the rod` being changed by proper operation of the clamping device I8. The rod 20 should then be at a height which will permit it to swing into the interior of the vehicle rwhen the door is closed. The rack may then be loaded, the door closed, and the height of the rod 26 again adjusted if necesYA sary to cause the supported clothing to clear the floor of the vehicle. When it is desired to unload the rack, the reverse procedure may be followed,

Referring now to Figure 2, another embodiment of this invention is illustrated therein, which. utilizes two supporting brackets I6-I6, each having an adjustable clamping device I 8 associated therewith. One of the supporting bracket: I6 is disposed in supported association with thel upper edge of each of the windows 8 and I6, as shown in Figure 2. Each of the clamping devices I8 is in turn adapted to receive, and adjustably support, a supporting rod 46 having a configuration similar to the supporting rod 20 previously described. The supporting rods 46-46 differ principally from the rod 2G in that the portion thereof adapted to be supported in a substantially vertical position is of considerably greater length, and have secured thereto at their lower ends the plates 48-48, by any suitable fastening means. The upper ends 5ft-5E) of the supporting rods 46-46 are in turn adapted to be received by the ends of a hollow rod or elongated sleeve 52. The adjustable collars 54-54 may be provided which may be adjustably secured to the ends 50-50 of the supporting rods 46-46 at the desired points by operation of the set screws 56-56. When so disposed, said collars prevent the sleeve 52 from being displaced from the position shown in Figure 2 and yet permit the easy removal of the sleeve when desired. The sleeve 52 may also be provided with a plurality of eyes 58 which are adapted to receive the hook end of wire clothes hangers, such as 42 and 44, shown in Figure l.

'The length of the lower portions of the rods ,4E-46 may besuch thatfbyproperly adjusting l the position of the rodswitlli 'relation ythe? clamping members ill-J8, thebase plates 48-48r will'be disposed above theY floor 60? of' the vehicle when the windows 8 and lll are in the cl'os'edpo'f I sition. If such an arrangement' isl followed;,the-` rods iS-4S' and the sleeve 52' will all be su-IJ- ported entirely by the supporting brackets Iii-I6 and the clamping means lil-fist, which in turnlv cooperate with the channels 31-31f j'frfgjfle.doorI frames l2 and M. fr 'i v t If such an arrangement'isprovilied `thefrackf may rest on the licor 6B of the vehicle while being loaded and either, or both, of the doors of the vehicle may be openedA andy closed at will, since the Windows Sand lfiwill be normally lowered tota; point which will allow them; to clear the supporting bracket lit-l whilerloading the rack..` 1

After the rack is loaded, as desired, the two windows 8 and iii may be raised simultaneously, which will in turn cause theA rods,46-46, andthe will then bereceived along with the upper. edges of the windows in thechannel 3l.

It may be preferable, however,t o`have the lower` portions of the rodsl of such` alength that the" base plates 138 are adapted to rest on the iloor 69 of the vehicle vat all times. If ,such is the case, the length of the rods t@ will be such that when the base plates 48 are so disposed on the floor 6E) of the vehicle, the upper portions of the rods 46 and the sleeve 52 will be disposed adjacent the ceiling of the vehicle. With such an arrangement, the rack may be loaded as above described, and the normal operation of the doors of the car adjacent to the rack will be permitted if the'windows 8 and IB are lowered suiiiciently and also if the position of the clamping devices l--IB and the supporting brackets IG-IB is properly adjusted.

In other words, the windows-8 and ID may be lowered and the brackets Iii-#I6 adjusted to a suitable position which enables them to clear both thewindows and the upper portionv of the two door frames. After the rack is loaded as desired,.

the windows 8 and ifi may be raised individually and the associated supporting bracket and clamping device may also be adjusted as each window is raised so that the supporting bracket receives the upper edge of the window and is also moved upwardly into the channel 3l normally adapted to receive that upperedge.l The ultimate result will be that the rack is supported by the base plates iS-48, but it will also be held in position by the operation of the two brackets Iii-lt and the associated clamping devices |8-I8.

If this latter form lis used, it is only necessary to lower the window of the particular door which is to be opened in order to operate the latter satisfactorily. One advantage of this-latter arrangement is that it is notrnecessary to lower both windows 8 and l!! to permit one of the, doors to be opened, and, in addition, the rack remains undisturbed even though a Window and door is opened.

It is obvious that much heavier loads of clothing can lbe satisfactorily carried by the form of the invention shown in Figure 2. Undoubtedly loads of at least l0 pounds could easily be carried. It is also obvious that the rods 4t could be formed so as to lend themselves to being used singiyifdesired, much in; the. manner of' the# rod-20 r'st described, and the combination, such as that shown Figure 3, used only when deY sired.

The drawing' and the above discussion are not intended tofrepresent theonly possible forms oithis invention; in regard to detailsv of construction. Changes form and in the proportion of parts, aswell as` the substitution of equivalents are contemplated', ascircurnstancesmay suggest orv renderexpedient, 'without departing from the spirit or scope of"thisfinventionv` as -iurther de: 'ned'in' the following claims. f

Wnat-isfciaimedisg. j Y 1, lA portableclothes supporting rack for use in afvehicle'lfiaving vertically adjustable windows, comprising ,a supportingi'bracket adapted to be disposed 'in supported relation with thej upper" edge off one ofv said windows', a pair 'of upstand- Iv"ing resilient' clamping members disposed in an-f gular relationv to one another on said bracket,

each said clamping member having a, transverse bore therein, the axis of which is substantially normal to the. surface of said clamping member,

the outer extremities of said resilient clamping members being adapted to be compressed at will to move said clamping members into.subs'tantially parallel relation, a clothes supporting rod adapted to be inserted through, said bores in said clamping-l members when the latter are so disposed in substantially parallel relation and to be locked therein when said clamping members are released, and an angularly disposed extremity on said rod adapted to be supported in close association with the roofA of said vehicle and to carry a plurality of clothes hangers when f said supporting rack is disposed in supported relation with one of said windows.

2. A portable clothes supporting rack for use in a vehicle having vertically adjustable windows, comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be disposed in supported relation with the upper edge of one of said windows, a pair of upstanding resilient clamping members disposed in an,- gular relation to one another on said'bracket,

each said clamping member having a transverse bore therein, the axis of which is substantially normal to the surface of said clamping member,.

said supporting rack is disposed in supported` relation with one of said windows, and afbase plate secured to the opposite extremity of said rod adapted to rest on the iioorrof said vehicle.

`5. A portable clothes supporting rack for use in a vehicle having vertically adjustable windows, comprising a pair of supporting brackets adapted to be disposed in supported association with the f upper edges of oppositely disposed windows in said vehicle, each said supporting bracket having la pair of upstanding resilient clamping members disposed in angular relation to one another thereon, each said clamping member having a transverse bore therein, the axis of which is substantially normal to the surface of said clamping member, the outer extremities of said resilient clamping members being adapted to be compressed at Will to move said clamping members into substantially parallel relation, a clothes supporting rod adapted to be inserted through said bores in each said clamping members when the latter are so disposed in substantially parallel relation and to be locked therein when said clamping members are released, an angularly disposed extremity on each said rod adapted to be supported in close association With the roof of said vehicle, a sleeve adapted to receive the angularly disposed extremity of each said rod, and means for securing said sleeve against longitudinal movement relative to said rods.

4. A portable clothes vsupporting rack for use in a vehicle having vertically adjustable Windows, comprising a pair of supporting brackets adapted.

to be disposed in supported association with the' upper edges of oppositely disposed Windows in' Ysaid vehicle, each said supporting bracket having a pair of upstanding resilient clamping members disposed in angular relation to one another thereon, each said clamping member having a transverse bore therein, the axis of Which is substantially normal to the surface of said clamping member, the outer extremities of said resilient clamping members being adapted to be compressed at will to move said clamping members into substantially parallel relation, a clothes supporting rod adapted to be inserted through said bores in each said clamping members when the latter are so disposed in substantially parallel relation and to be locked therein when said clamping members are released, an angularly disposed extremity on each said rod adapted to be supported in close association with the roof of said vehicle, a sleeve adapted to receive the angularly disposed extremity of each said rod, means for securing said sleeve against longitudinal movement relative to said rods, and a base plate secured to the opposite extremity of each said rod adapted to rest on the floor of said vehicle.

JOHN B. SCHUYLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 599,871 Siefkes Mar. l, 1898 888,032 Peterson May 19, 1908 1,260,206 Kent Mar. 19, 1918 1,692,679 McGoogan Mar. 20, 1928 1,696,579 Miller Dec. 25, 1928 2,144,772 Plants Jan. 24, 1939 2,344,339 Zwald Mar. 14, 1944 2,472,132 Walker June 7, 1949 2,478,337 Strasser et al. Aug. 9, 1949 

